In 1996, Shelby native Stephen Eaker moved from Shelby to Charleston, S.C.

“In order for me to achieve my dream of dreams, I had to first achieve my childhood dream and that was Charleston, S.C.," he said.

There he worked as a chemist, using his biology degree from UNC Charlotte.

But Eaker had a long history with art.

“I began to draw at the age of three and I never stopped. At 13, I discovered Picasso, Matisse and Van Gogh.”

By 2000, he said the drawing and painting had taken over. It was also in 2000 that he met Beatrice Aaronson, an artist originally from Paris.

The couple began an "immediate friendship" which turned into a relationship. By 2006, the two artists put together a show of their sculptures in Charleston.

“It was called 'Old Charleston, New Bridges.' And nobody came,” said Eaker, “That was a huge blow to us. We’d been trying so hard with a more progressive style of artwork. That just really broke our hearts.”

The artists decided that maybe they were in the wrong place for their art.

“Charleston was my childhood dream. It was time to pursue my dream of dreams,” said Eaker.

'We are moving to Mexico'

Then came the connection to Mexico. The couple knew an artist named E.C. Bell, who shared a studio with Eaker for 10 years.

Bell, ready to leave the U.S., took off for Mexico, ending up a few months later in San Miguel de Allende. Eaker said Bell asked them to come see the town. He called it "pretty.”

When Eaker Googled the town, he said the pictures stunned him.

“I pulled up the images and I fell out of my chair,” said Eaker. He found “pictures of this beautiful colonial town, bathed in sunshine.”

When he showed Aaronson the pictures, she, too, was astounded and said it reminded her of Paris.

“The whole city is like this jewel. Old buildings, cobblestone streets. We knew this was it,” he said, “We were going to go for our dream of dreams.”

The day before his birthday five years ago, Eaker turned in his resignation. Aaronson quit her job as well, and the couple started packing.

Three months later, they moved to Mexico. Eaker said he was surprised by the Mexican spirit.

“What’s astounding is that the Mexican people are some of the most gentle, hardworking, caring and compassionate people I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet,” he said.

The expatriate community in San Miguel is also very close. Eaker called it “one giant family.”

The La Casa Verde art gallery

After moving to San Miguel, Eaker and Aaronson rented a green house that they named “La Casa Verde.”

“The first house we rented was both a gallery and a home,” said Eaker.

The prolific artists started creating and began to sell their art. Then Aaronson had the idea for a lecture series, since both she and Eaker were knowledgeable in art history.

“It started out small. I gave a lecture to one person, then seven, then 30. Now we have anywhere from 80 to 120 people a week,” he said.

They now have lectures every Wednesday on artists such as Chagall or Modigliani.

People come from the United States, Canada and all over the world. In San Miguel, Eaker and Aaronson have become known as the king and queen of art history.

“It’s our passion. It’s sharing these wonderful stories. Not only can we draw and sell art work here, but there’s an appreciation, a thirst for art history. We’re able to bring the artist to life," he said.

Living like his heroes

Eaker said he is fortunate to live like his heroes, one of which is Picasso.

“The life that I daydreamed and fantasized about in the U.S. became a reality when Beatrice and I moved to Mexico.”

Eaker said that Shelby is his hometown and that his dream took him from there to Charleston to Mexico.

He also said his whole life is dedicated to art.

“It’s all I ever wanted to do," he said.

Eaker encourages others to go for their own dreams, calling it “the greatest epitome of human endeavor” to be able to do what you want to do.

“We all have our goals," he said, "If you ever get the opportunity, go for it."

A few facts about San Miguel, Mexico:

-It was founded in 1542 by the Spanish and was an important stop during silver and gold mining explorations.

-It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

-It is right near the geographic center of Mexico, so it’s called the heart of Mexico.

-It has been an artists’ town since the 1940s and attracts many expatriates.

-Eaker and Aaronson’s art studio website can be found at www.artcasaverde.com.